I’ve been exploring various (contemporary) Roman Catholic missals and have found that the majority of the hymnody they contain are historically Protestant in origin. The same can be said for the Roman Catholic prayer devotional that I use called Magnificat. This is fascinating to me. Great church music has the ability to be delightfully indiscriminate.
My wife and I were privileged to have participated in the Iconic Life: Baptism and Music Conference on April 20th. It was a fascinating and fruitful time, and a joy to connect with other music directors and pastors from the Central Valley. We were reminded of how blessed we are to be serving in a local context that would include a
It has taken me more than a few weeks to work through all fifty-eight tracks of Sufjan Steven’s Silver and Gold. My daughter Rachel is fascinated with Sufjan’s version of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” So much so, that she made me play it for her five times in a row yesterday morning. Our
Tis' the eve of the Sufjan Stevens Christmas spectacular in San Francisco. Tomorrow night I will be traveling to the city by the Bay with my brother-in-law to participate in what promises to be a unique live concert event. I have heard rumors that there will be much singing and merriment, those in attendance beckoned to join in the Sufi
When I was a kid, the first book of the Bible I learned to find on my own was the Psalms. It’s right in the middle. Place your thumbs in the center of the pages and pull. As far as my Christian faith is concerned, all the crosses and comforts particular to my journey continue
Few music genres are as intimidating to approach as jazz, especially contemporary forms that stray outside of “smooth jazz” easy listening. I have recently been re-awakened to the jazz tradition after purchasing my first bass and attempting to “re-understand” some basic musical building blocks through the fretboard. It has already made me a better guitarist
“I feel like if God had some sort of way of speaking, it would be through music” -Ari Picker (songwriter for Lost In The Trees) Even under the most tragic of circumstances many understand death as a beginning--a beginning that is shrouded in mystery, possibility, and beauty. It can be an invitation to wonder for
“But you can’t outrun the history train/I seen a glorious day” In the modern world we are, more often than not, instantly gratified and prone to fashion. In these days of miracle and wonder it is always refreshing to hear from an artist who has lasted long enough to hand down a body of work
Happy All-Saints/Reformation Day! On this day the Western Christian celebrates those who have died and gone to be with Christ, and wait with us for His second coming (see Hebrews chapter 11). This day also commemorates Reformation Day within the churches that I am most familiar as an actual parishioner. Lutheran and Reformed communities use
I have been reviewing albums (Full and Capsule) for PopMatters.com over the last few months. An archive of all my reviews, so far, can be found here. Be sure to click on "More Reviews" at the bottom of this page in order to get a complete list. Here is a new review of an album